Branson seems to be an enthusiast as well as a visioneer - at least a little bit.

And he is a millionaire.

So Virgin is willing to go the whole way because Branson seems to be willing to. If Virgin gets financial or other economic problems Branson uo to a certain amount will help Virgin.

Branson is giving parts of his personal financial ressources to the private spacecraft and space travel industry - he is one of the right persons to do that and he proves that the privates can mobilize financial ressources for space that the government never would get even by taxes.

Bransons proves that rich people would do much more for a thing they are interested in if it is left to them.